Gremlins are busy at work . . .

After I posted my pictures yesterday I noticed that my background had all disappeared!

I headed over to http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/ to pick out another background and discovered that they were having some issues with their site and I wouldn't be able to get a new background. I did a little bit of surfing around blogland and I noticed that the blogs that I knew used the Cutest Blog on the Block templates were still alright, so it had to be something with the photos that I posted.

So for now I have chosen something really simple from the blogger selections and we'll see what happens later in the week. I also chose a new blog header for now and I'll make a firmer decision on it once I have a new background.

Hope your Sunday is going smoother than mine . . .

'til next time,

M.

Decision Made!

I have chosen the fabrics for the Bunny Hill BOM! . . .

they just kinda showed up in yesterday's mailbox.

Yup, this is the January, 2009 package from The Fat Quarter Shop and it is going to work out just fine (I think!). It is called Nature's Chorus by April Cornell.

The fat quarters are always sent flat . . . not like your regular fat quarters that you buy at the store, so I always iron them and then fold them into the little fat quarters stacks that we're used to seeing. So while I was doing this enjoyable little task, I started noticing that maybe this particular section of a print would work for this and this other print would work for that. I even went onto the Moda website to check out the fabrics that Anne had mentioned that they were using in the BOM. Now after looking at what she has chosen for the year-long project, I thought that maybe I would also need some lights and other mixables to add in . . . I remembered some fat quarters that I had purchased from Connecting Threads about a year ago and sure enough they all blend together! Still don't really have any browns for baskets, so maybe mine will be all flower baskets . . . who knows . . . we'll see what each month brings.

For now I'm just happy to have discovered my little stash (and newly established stash) will work just fine.

This photo is of our backyard and it is showing the MESS that the deer have been making. Remember the post from back in the Fall where I was swearing at all the acorns? Now I can swear at all the deer who are thinking that these make some pretty good munchies.

Every night, all night long, there are at least two deer out here digging and eating. I hope there's still grass there in the Spring after all their rootin' around . . . I know there's lots of fertilizer mixed in!

I ran out of time today to start on my second Bunny Hill block . . . the borders on my quilt took longer than expected (but they're done!) . . . so tomorrow is scheduled for another snowman/basket block. I'll post it when it's done . . .

Have a great Saturday night!

'til next time,

M.

BOM Updates

I've finished Anne's first block - he's such a cute little guy and it goes together so fast! I'm seeing some finished blocks out there that are done in wool (Cottons n' Woolens) and they are looking very warm and toastie. My wool stash is not up to the standards that would be required to complete one block let alone a whole quilt, so I will be sticking to my cottons.

I like my fabric choices but now that I'm done I wish I had of put a backing on the stars so that the handle wasn't showing through. And then it dawned on me this morning that I should be using one of my beautiful packages of fat quarters that I get from the Fat Quarter Shop every month - each basket would be from one of each of the prints and then the other parts of the block could be from some of the other coordinating prints with just the odd scrap of whatever to fill in when necessary. That way the whole quilt at the end of the 12 months would be coordinated from the one fabric line. So now I need to check out which package of fat quarters would work best for this new idea and then make this little block a second time. Maybe I'll even put a smile on the next one instead of the weird smirk that he has on his face right now!

The first block of the Summer Baskets BOM is now complete and pinned up on the wall. The next package should be arriving any day with the second block - it looks like a bigger block and may take some more concentration . . . how much fun will that be!

It was wonderful to meet some of you Anne's out there (and a couple of AKA's, too!) Thank you to all those that stopped by and said hello . . . it was great to hear from you.

This weekend I'll be (hopefully!) finishing a quilt top that I've been working on for quite some time. For some reason I just couldn't settle on a border design that I liked but have now finally decided what I'm going to do - so if all goes as planned that will be my weekend. Although Crazy For Primitives and Gardens posted about her weekend plans yesterday and that looks really interesting too - I even went and found the magazine with the pattern in it and have it set out. But . . . NO, I am not (will not) start another project!

Have a great weekend everyone.

'til next time,

M.

"Anne" is a wonderful name . . .

What a short, simple, elegant, easy-to-remember kind of name!

The name "Anne" seems to be popping up a lot the last few days and this will be my post to honor a couple of Anne's.

The first Anne posted a comment on my "Domesticated" post a few days ago and I was so thrilled to receive such a lovely comment! But, alas, Anne did not have a link back to her blog, (or she doesn't have a blog) so I was not able to go back and thank her for her wonderful, cheery comments. She said that she had spent a couple of hours touring through my blog and I was just tickled to know that someone does the same thing that I do! Every-so-often I will find a blog that just takes my fancy, for whatever reason, and I'll go back through all the posts from the beginning of time . . . do all of you do that also?

So, the reason I'm bringing this up, besides saying a big hearty Thank You! to Anne, is to let everyone know that they can post too. You don't need a blog of your own . . . you don't need to use your real name (maybe use "Anne" because it is such a sweet name!) . . . you don't even have to put a name! You can use "Anonymous" if you're very nice and mean it in the the very best of terms (like the sweet gal who also left a comment on "Domesticated").

I know there are many of you out there . . . I can see it on my Feedjit Live Traffic Feed thingy. So, here's a little challenge to everyone stopping by . . . leave a "hi" as you pass through next time . . . maybe even put your name in as "Anne" and we'll see how many we can tally up (if Anne really is your name or middle name, make sure and let me know!).

It's become apparent that I have mistakenly left out the "Ann" spelling version (which of course is even shorter, simpler and, dare I say, more elegant than the longer version of the spelling) from my aforementioned challenge . . . so please insert the name "Ann" wherever the "Anne" is and play along. (This is so much fun . . . how many Ann/Anne's are out there!)

Now, onto another "Anne" . . . and this is one of my favorites. Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs is such a fun, helpful person out there in blogland and this morning when I opened my bloggy dashboard, I noticed that she has undertaken to entertain us all for a full year of Block-of-the-Month mystery designs!

Just look at this adorable block! THANK YOU, ANNE!

I have the pattern all downloaded and ready to start . . . but, really, can I take on another BOM? I'm going to challenge myself to really, really try to keep up with this one . . . if the rest of the blocks are as wonderful as this first one, I'm going to be in for the long haul.

So head on over to Anne's place and get your pattern!

'til next time,

M.

p.s. My middle name is "Anne"!

Showing Off My Backside!

. . . made you look, didn't I?

It's the backside of my snowman stitchery from last year. Every one's talking about finishing things and I thought I would start off with this one. I also thought that the "wrong" side really does have a somewhat messy story tell . . . but, let's face it, it could be worse!

This is a Crabapple Hill design that I thought was adorable. Of course, it has been done for quite some time and just laying there waiting for me to do something with it. I have now found a backing for it and have seamed all around the outside, except for 3 - 4", and will now proceed to stuff it into a nice plump pillow - tonight after work, I hope.

The good thing I'm finding about January is that all the storage units come on sale - retailers are trying to promote the organization lifestyle thingy. So, last week my dear husband extended the height on my cutting table and we pre-measured the storage unit size that we were needing. Low, and behold if they weren't on sale at Canadian Tire this past Saturday and Sunday! I bought two 5 bin units at 55% off and proceeded to tear one apart and add a bin to the bottom of the grey unit (in the middle) - (you can do that you know!). The other 5 bin unit is set apart from these ones and is holding everything from art supplies to more fabric.

And, while I was sorting out fabric and whatnot for the storage bins, I also starting reorganizing my bookshelves. Wow, does that ever feel good! You will notice that the diet books are still on the shelf . . . maybe I should consider taking those down soon and making use of them.

As promised, here is a photo of the finished/framed stitchery that I was working on last week.

This was a free design offered by Gail Pan Designs, and I think if you pop over to her blog, you should still be able to get a copy of your own and have it all ready for this coming December - it's never too early to get started!

'til next time,

M.

Domesticated?

Yeah right!!

I used to be . . . before I went to work for a living, but not anymore. I work and quilt, sometimes vacuum and clean bathrooms, plus wash the odd dish here and there.

And then I see people like Anna Maria Horner, Martha Stewart and other homemaker-type divas and I do wish I had all the time in the world to accomplish even 1/2 of what these ladies are doing. I received a copy of Anna Maria's new book as a Christmas gift and there certainly are a few projects that would make my home more of a home. I'll see where I can fit that in!

Very nice book though and I understand that Anna Maria is expecting her sixth child - where does she find the time! To write the book and do what she does, I mean.

My son gave me my very own Bamboo drawing tablet which is all nicely connected to my computer now and ready for me to try and figure it all out. So far I can write my name and have drawn and colored a daisy . . . moving right along with this, aren't I? Once again, it is the time thing . . . once I can commit an hour or two here and there to just specifically learning this neat little gizmo, I'll have it aced. Mind you, I'll never be as accomplished as my son and the art that he produces with his tablet (check out earlier post).

Here is the domesticated part of my post! I made biscuits for supper last night and they turned out deliciously. This is a recipe that I have been making for more years than I'm going to tell you and it works every time (for me, anyway!).

I know my pictures are looking a little dark and all, but really the biscuits did turn out really good.

This recipe is from the Company's Coming Cookbook, Muffins & More (page 94), by Jean Pare:

2 cups white flour

2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1 tsp. salt

4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

1/2 cup cold margarine (or butter)

1 cup cold milk

I usually soften the margarine in the microwave for a short time and then put the first five ingredients into the same bowl and using a fork, cut in the margarine to make a crumbly mixture.

Pour in the milk and stir to combine. The dough is very sticky at this point (or I use just a bit too much milk!) Turn everything out onto a floured surface and knead gently 8 - 10 times. This is where I begin adding more flour until I get the consistency of dough that "just feels right". Pat the dough to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick or half the thickness that you want the finished product to be. Cut with a sealer ring (large) or a round cookie cutter. Place on a greased cookie sheet close together for soft sides or apart for crisp sides. Bake in 450 degree oven for 12 - 15 minutes.

Break out the honey pot and enjoy!

Before Christmas my husband came up with a new saying: "If you make it - you eat it!" I guess I had a few things that didn't turn out all that great - must have been the choice of recipes I'm thinking.

Anyway, he did eat my biscuits and I bet there's not that many left when I get home.

This is a photo of one of the kitty quilts that was happily received by my two girls this Christmas, and even though I made it, they won't let me use it. Imagine that!

'til next time,

M.

Looking Back . . .

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

align="center">(If the pictures don't show up the first time you play Smilebox, just replay it and they should have loaded the second time)

I have been trying to post this since this morning at 6:00 a.m. so my apologies to anyone who saw a new posting and then found none when they arrived at my blog.

Here's hoping that 2009 starts out better than this little mishap that will end 2008. Just imagine though . . . another year is almost done! All in all it's been a pretty good year and I'm looking forward to 2009 - but to look forward, sometimes we have to have a quick look back. Some of you that visit my blog on a regular basis will be recognizing a lot of the projects in my little Smilebox scrapbook, but for those that are just popping by for the first time, have a quick peek at what I've been up to for the year and send me a link to show me what you've been creating in 2008. I'd love to see what you've been up to!

So, let's march through this last evening of 2008 and be ready to step into 2009 with just a brighter sprinkle of happiness, a beaming sparkle of optimism and let's throw in a heap of laughter also.

All the best to everyone for the New Year and may all your projects be inspirational, educational and especially FUN!

'til next time,

M.

I Almost Made It . . .

. . . but not quite!

I started this little stitchery piece a few days before Christmas and this is as far as I got before the big day. The frame has now been purchased (Boxing Day 1/2 price sales!) and the stitching is done, so this little piece will be all ready for next year. Nothing like those last minute "wanna do's" - I'll never learn :~)

Ah, but these little cuties were all ready for the holidays this year.

Last year they were just in the preliminary planning stages of pattern design, so it's nice to have them all out and about now. I think there were six of them sitting in the greenery that was draped around a couple of windows - they sure added that little touch of color.

Santa was exceptionally good to all of us this year, but especially to Mysty and Shadow. They each received their very own flannel quilt and Shadow is trying to show you in the picture just how nice and toasty warm her new heated bed is (click on the photo to enlarge). Can you see the joy in her eyes there? No, I don't imagine you can . . . she is all wrapped up in heated rapture and she just can't pry those eyes open.

She is the cat in our house that just can't seem to keep warm . . . she somehow hears the furnace start even though she is deaf (must be the vibrations or something) and then she parks her belly directly over the register. Sometimes you walk by her and she looks like she's fallen sideways off the register from shear heat exhaustion. Can't be good for her, so I went shopping and found her this new bed with it's very own pet therapeutic heating pad built in. The brown part you see is the bed and then there is her new quilt and then her and on top of it all I placed another quilt so that it created a nice little tent area for her. She looks happy!

And before Christmas 2008 is all over and done with, I was wondering if anyone knew how old this particular Santa is? His head is kinda like a bobble head thing and his Santa sack has a place to put a Christmas greenery arrangement. It's been part of our Christmas decorating for quite some time, but did not originate from my family, so I'm not sure how old he is - does anyone out there have one just like him?

'til next time,

M.

Ready or Not!

'til next time,
M.

Getting Ready for a Snowy Christmas!

Everywhere you look it is certainly looking like Christmas.

I forgot to show you these little mittens that Chrisy had stitched as part of her present exchange at the Brandon Peace by Piece Christmas pot-luck and exchange. They were the cutest little gift tags I've seen in a while. That white stitching and crocheted topper were adorable and I'll be trying to figure out how to make my own for next year!

This is the latest snowfall we've had. My poor little outdoor kitty is almost disappearing!

Those little eyes look like they're pleading to just let him come in. Where's his tail, anyway? Might have to go brush him off before it snows again, otherwise I won't be seeing him 'til Spring.

Even though I am still working on Christmas presents at this late date, I did take some time out to get started on this BOM.

Nothing is sewn down yet, but all the pieces are ready and rarin' to go.

The pattern was missing for the leaves and the leaf centres so I had to make those up . . . I think they turned out just fine. I'm hoping to get these sewn down in the early mornings between Christmas and New Year's, then I'll have a finished block for the New Year.

I better get back to some machine quilting that I've got going on . . . or all the Christmas presents won't be ready.

'til next time,

M.

It's been over a week . . .

since I last posted . . . where does the time go! Another 7 days and we'll all be basking under our Christmas trees, eggnog in hand and wrapping paper crumpled and thrown all over . . . is everyone ready?

Very busy and stressful at the office right now - salary negotiation time - YUCK! People you thought you knew turn into weird, rude and back stabbing people . . . who knew that people were like that? Maybe it's just where I work . . . let's hope so, because I wouldn't wish some of these guys on my worst enemy!

My monthly shipment from the Fat Quarter Shop arrived yesterday . . . Fig and Plum by Fig Tree (Moda). Very pretty but a little disappointing also.

I've been anxiously awaiting this shipment because viewing it on the Fat Quarter website and in the latest issue of Hancock's of Paducah catalogue, the colors looked very rich and yummy. In real life they are more washed out and vintage - which is still OK - just not what I was expecting. They all coordinate very nicely and will look lovely in a quilt . . . oh, dear! . . . now I need to figure out what to do with this stack also!

My blue quilt is plodding along . . . slowly. Progress is beginning to be seen, but so very slowly. Where is my magic wand? I could grant myself more hours of sewing which would also reduce stress, I'm sure. I get plotting and playing with my fabrics and everything else just doesn't seem to matter anymore - does it work like that for you too?

Here is a stack of small squares all organized, stacked and ready to be placed into blocks. Every block has to be laid out separately to ensure that certain prints aren't side-by-side with something too similar . . . it is a scrappy kind of quilt, but you don't want something to look too odd when it's all sewn together.

Here is part of one block . . . that's all that's completed so far, so I better quit blogging about it and head to the sewing machine and get something done!

'til next time,
M.

It's Finally Finished . . .

. . . and will be hitting the postal system very shortly!

I love this little quilt . . . it is the perfect size to snuggle up with on the sofa; it is all made with buttery soft flannel; it's not just a Christmas quilt, but an all round Winter-type of quilt; it's cheerful and the colors are great! What more can I say? I Love This Quilt.

BUT . . . I also love my Dad and this is where this quilt is going. I know he'll like it for keeping his toes warm this Winter while he's reading or watching movies.

The little buttons and the raggy trees add to the whole project and the appliqued borders give it a lot more movement and detail than just plain old strips. I machine quilted it all over except over the trees and snowmen . . . wasn't too sure whether I should go over these or not, but eventually decided not to.

A lot of the fabric was leftover from my MIL's Christmas quilt last year, although I did have to purchase some extra for the borders - but it was off-season and on sale. I still have some pieces left but not enough to make myself a quilt like this one. Maybe another year I'll watch for fabric similar to this and make myself one.

Trouble with that is that the cats must be able to smell flannel because they always seem to be curled up on a piece of it - imagine if they had a whole quilt to themselves. Ha! Maybe I should use the remaining scraps and make a cat quilt gift for under the tree - I'll have to ponder that and see how much time I have left before the big day.

I'm not sure what type of expression you would say this guy has on his face . . . but he's making me smile!

'til next time,

M.

'Tis The Season . . .

Last night was the Brandon Piece by Peace quilt group's Christmas potluck supper, gift exchange, place mat donation night and a general fun get-together. Supper was delicious as always and a very difficult game about candies was attempted - guess some of us didn't put on our thinking caps before we got there . . . very tough puzzles!

Everyone received this little survival kit - very nicely put together and very much appreciated! Especially that band aid, maybe :o)

I believe I heard someone say that there were 70 place mats handed in and another 10 or more that were yet to come. There are somewhere between 21 - 24 members so obviously some people made more than the suggested two - what a wonderful, colorful collection of place mats.

There was every color imaginable, in just about every shape and size also. I know the Meals on Wheels recipients will appreciate this little added color with their Christmas suppers.

Then it was the gift exchange! Always interesting and never disappointing. The rules have changed over the years that I've been a member - now the dollar limit is $20.00 and the gift/gifts must be quilting or sewing related, handcrafted or purchased.

The gift I brought home was FABRIC!!!!

Look at those beautiful colors . . . all from one of the Benartex fabric lines, all nicely coordinated. Can't wait to cut into these . . . hopefully sooner than later. They all came arranged in a very heavy square glass vase so now I'll have to get some fresh flowers for the Christmas table so that I can show it off.

I have another Christmas party to go to this Friday - not quilt related though. Will it be as much fun . . . we'll see . . .

'til next time,

M.

Summer Baskets and Santas

I'm so thrilled!

Block #1 of the The Quilt Patch Summer Baskets BMO showed up in yesterday's mail. Part of the block is cottons and the rest is wool . . . and what pretty colors they all are. I can't wait to get started on this little beauty.

I am finally finished all of my Santa placemats. As I've mentioned in previous posts, the Brandon quilt group decided to make Christmas placemats for the Meals On Wheels program and donate them so that they could be circulated during the holidays to folks that use the program. Every member was to make two.

Well I got carried away and did a little too much thinking about this - obviously! My dilemma was that I'm not from Brandon and maybe people in my community would also appreciate some Christmas cheer by way of a little placemat.

So, I did some research and sure enough there were a few people that use the Meals On Wheels program in Wawanesa, so I got busy. After many little pieces of fabric, some sewing and machine quilting, some binding (a lot!) and finally some little tinkly bells . . . these are now ready to be delivered tonight.

The Brandon placemats will be delivered to the group on Monday night when we have our Christmas pot luck and get together.

I do believe I can now leave the placemat fiasco behind me and move on to another unfinished project - my Dad's Christmas quilt binding is still waiting for me as are a multitude of other things.

Maybe the Summer Baskets block will have to wait a week or so before I can work it into my schedule . . .

I can't remember whether I mentioned the Crazy Mom Quilts blog before or not, but go have a peek at what she has going on. Check out the little doll quilt, pillows and pillowcases - they are so adorable! Anyone with little girls on their Christmas list should make a set of these. Also check out her archives . . . there's a ton of inspiration there.

Have a great weekend.

'til next time,

M.